sex and the law

Here are some of the main things the law has to say on sex and relationships

In law, the phrase ‘age of consent’ is used. This means
the age someone needs to be before they can agree to have sex.

The ‘age of consent’ in Scotland for boys and girls is
16. This is the case whether you’re straight, lesbian or gay.
So, if you’re both over 16, and both want to have sex, then it’s
legal. If one of you is under 16, then the other is breaking the law.

Most people wait until they’re 16 to have sex. If you’re
aged 13-15 and having sex, then you or your partner might be at risk
of being prosecuted – however this is not common if both young
people are happy and one person is not forcing the other to have sex.
It is always wrong and against the law to force someone to have sex,
no matter what age you or they are.

To help protect young people, the age of consent rises to 18 when
your partner is or has been in a position of trust (e.g. someone who
has cared for you like a parent, a teacher or a youth worker).

Consent

Whether or not you have sex with someone should always be your decision.
Sex is only legal if you've given your consent (permission) – this
means you don't have to have sex unless you want to and no one should
force you.
The law says you can't give proper consent if –

you're being forced into it or because you're afraid the person will
be violent to you.

If anyone makes you have sex in these situations, they have committed
a serious crime. That crime is called rape.
If you're made to do other sexual acts, or someone touches you in a sexual
way when you didn't want them to, this is called sexual assault - and
is also a crime. If you ever feel uncomfortable or under pressure to
do anything you don't want to, tell somebody you trust.
If you want to have sex, make sure the person you want to have sex with
really wants to. If you're not sure how keen they are, talk to them and
if they don't want to have sex, put the brakes on straight away. The
age of consent in the UK is 16. Having sex with someone below the age
of consent is against the law and having sex with anyone under the age
of 13 is a very serious offence.
For more information on Sexual Assault and Rape click here